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Multicomponent reactions of cyclobutanones
Michael C Pirrung1, Jianmei Wang
1Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, California 92521-0403, USA. michael.pirrung@ucr.edu
Cyclobutanones are now known reactants in multicomponent reactions like the Ugi and Passerini reactions. Conducting these reactions in water significantly enhances their efficiency, leading to novel applications such as aspartame analogue synthesis.
Area of Science:
- Organic Chemistry
- Multicomponent Reactions
Background:
- Cyclobutanones are largely unexplored in isonitrile-based multicomponent reactions.
- Water as a reaction medium is gaining interest for its enhancing effects in organic synthesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the use of cyclobutanones in Ugi and Passerini multicomponent reactions.
- To explore the impact of water as a reaction medium on these transformations.
- To demonstrate a synthetic application of the developed methodology.
Main Methods:
- Ugi reactions involving cyclobutanone.
- Passerini reactions using tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3-dione.
- Reaction optimization in aqueous media.
Main Results:
- Successful implementation of cyclobutanone in Ugi reactions and tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3-dione in Passerini reactions.
- Significant rate and yield enhancement observed when reactions are performed in water.
- Demonstration of a concise synthesis of an aspartame analogue via the Ugi reaction of cyclobutanone.
Conclusions:
- Cyclobutanones are viable and effective substrates for isonitrile-based multicomponent reactions.
- Water is a highly effective and advantageous solvent for these specific Ugi and Passerini reactions.
- The developed methods offer a novel route for synthesizing complex molecules, including pharmaceutical analogues.
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